Let’s be honest. If you grew up in the 80s, the idea of a Goonies sequel is basically the Holy Grail of nostalgia. We’ve been teased for decades. Every few years, a rumor pops up like a skeleton in a copper bones trap, promising that Mikey, Mouth, Data, and Chunk are finally coming back to the Goon Docks.
But the conversation feels different this time. It’s 2026, and the project actually has legs. Warner Bros. is officially in the kitchen. Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus are attached as producers. Even so, there is one massive, Thanos-sized elephant in the room: Josh Brolin.
Brolin, who played the bandana-wearing, chest-expanding big brother Brand Walsh, isn't exactly jumping for joy. He’s been vocal about his "trepidation." He’s worried. Honestly? He should be.
The Goonies Sequel Josh Brolin Update: What He’s Actually Saying
While fans are screaming "Hey you guys!" at their laptop screens, Brolin is taking a much more measured approach. During a recent press run for his film Weapons, he didn't hold back. He admitted he has a lot of fear that a new movie might "taint" the legacy of the 1985 classic.
"I don't want to taint what my memory of it is," he told Entertainment Tonight. He even joked about what a sequel would look like with the original cast: "The Goonies grew up, and then they came out with their walkers and then they fell off a cliff because they couldn't see very well."
It's funny, but it hits a nerve.
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Josh Brolin is 57 now. He’s an Oscar nominee. He’s been Cable and Thanos. For him, The Goonies was his first big break—a lightning-in-a-bottle experience that happened when he was just 16. Going back to that world isn't just a career move; it's a spiritual risk. He’s basically said that if it’s not perfect, he’d rather let it lie.
Who is actually making this happen?
If you’re looking for someone to blame (or thank) for the current momentum, look toward writer Potsy Ponciroli. He’s the guy behind the western Old Henry, and he’s currently the one with the pen. As of late 2025, Ponciroli confirmed he was 95% done with a second draft of the script.
Here is the current lineup of power players involved:
- Steven Spielberg: Producing via Amblin Entertainment. He is notoriously picky. Brolin mentioned that Spielberg has rejected at least five scripts over the last forty years.
- Chris Columbus: The original writer is back as a producer.
- Lauren Shuler Donner: The widow of original director Richard Donner is helping guide the ship.
- Potsy Ponciroli: The screenwriter currently trying to crack the "un-crackable" story.
Why the Script Is Such a Nightmare to Write
Writing a sequel to The Goonies is a trap. If you focus only on the original kids (now middle-aged adults), it feels like a sad "where are they now" documentary. If you focus only on new kids, fans feel betrayed.
Potsy Ponciroli has gone on record saying he is a "massive fan" and would never "redo" the original. The plan seems to be a "passing of the torch" vibe. Think Ghostbusters: Afterlife or Top Gun: Maverick. But even that is a gamble.
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Brolin’s hesitation stems from the fact that Richard Donner, the original director, passed away in 2021. Donner was the glue. He was the "chief Goonie." Without him, the cast feels a bit like ship-less pirates. Brolin has made it clear: if Spielberg doesn't give it the ultimate 100% seal of approval, he’s probably out.
What About the Rest of the Gang?
The energy is different depending on who you ask.
- Ke Huy Quan: Following his massive Oscar win for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Quan has been the most enthusiastic. He’s said he would love to return as Data. He’s basically the emotional cheerleader for the sequel.
- Sean Astin: Mikey himself has been a bit more cynical. He’s joked about how many times he’s heard "it’s happening" only for nothing to materialize. However, he did post a "fake" poster in 2024 with the caption "It's our time," which sent the internet into a frenzy.
- Corey Feldman: Mouth has been pushing for this for a decade. He and Astin actually pitched an idea to Richard Donner years ago, but Donner told them it was "too expensive."
- Jeff Cohen: Chunk is a high-powered entertainment lawyer now. He hasn't acted in years, though he did help Ke Huy Quan with his contracts for Everything Everywhere. Getting him back in front of the camera would be the ultimate win.
The Problem of the "Goon Docks" Today
The original film was about a community being destroyed by a golf course. It was a simple, "us vs. the system" story. In 2026, the stakes have to be different. You can't just find another pirate ship. Or can you?
Reports suggest the new story might involve the children of the original Goonies discovering a secret their parents kept from them. It’s a classic trope, but it’s the only way to get the old cast involved without making them do "truffle shuffles" in their late 50s.
Is It Actually Going to Film?
Rumors from late 2024 and throughout 2025 suggested a summer 2025 or 2026 filming start. However, without a director officially signed on, those dates are slippery.
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The industry is currently looking at names who can handle that specific Spielbergian "Amblin" tone. You need someone who understands "kid-peril." You need someone who doesn't rely entirely on CGI. The original Goonies used a massive, practical pirate ship. If the sequel is just actors in front of a green screen, Brolin's fears about "tainting the memory" will come true.
How to Track the Progress
If you want to know if The Goonies 2 is actually happening, watch the trades for three specific things:
- A Director Announcement: This is the biggest hurdle. Until someone like a Shawn Levy or a Greta Gerwig (unlikely, but imagine!) is attached, it's just a script on a desk.
- Josh Brolin’s Casting Status: If Brolin signs on, the movie is legit. He is the toughest sell in the group. If he’s in, the script is actually good.
- Spielberg’s Public Comments: Spielberg rarely talks about sequels he isn't 100% behind. If he does a dedicated interview about it, start buying your popcorn.
Ultimately, The Goonies is about friendship and that "never say die" attitude. But in Hollywood, sometimes "never say die" just means "this IP is too valuable to let sleep." Whether we get a masterpiece or a "walker-falling-off-a-cliff" disaster depends entirely on if they can convince Brand to put the bandana back on.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on official Warner Bros. press releases and verified interviews from the original cast. Avoid "leaked posters" on social media, as 99% of them are fan-made or AI-generated. The real news will come directly from the producers once a director is finally locked in.